Condition
Whiplash
Neck and upper-back symptoms after a rapid acceleration-deceleration injury. Common after rear-end collisions.
Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms usually appear within 24 to 72 hours of the injury and can include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headache, often starting at the base of the skull
- Shoulder, upper-back, or arm pain
- Dizziness, blurred vision, or concentration difficulty
- Sleep disruption
Causes
A rapid back-and-forth motion of the head and neck overloads the soft tissues of the cervical spine. The most common scenario is a rear-end motor-vehicle collision, but the same mechanism happens in sports and falls.
How we treat it
Early assessment lets us guide you through the right activity and the right rest. Treatment combines manual therapy, gentle progressive exercise to restore motion and strength, and dosed reintroduction of normal activities. When dizziness or visual symptoms are present, a vestibular screen identifies whether vestibular rehabilitation is also needed.
Insurance note
If the injury came from a motor-vehicle accident, SAAQ typically covers physiotherapy treatment. Bring your claim number to the first visit; we bill directly.